>>My melleri did best with hand spraying/dripping over their face for direct drinking too. When they tip their head straight up they are "full".



IME, the adults respond best to a rain-like fall, instead of a fine mist or the repeated drips on the head. If the Hudson wand sprayer is set on fine but low output, it makes a perfect rain for adults. If the rain is hitting all over their bodies, instead of just their head, it stimulates them to hunker down for a good, long drink.



When they tip back, they may not be done drinking for the session, just swallowing that batch of collected water. If I wait and give them a chance to swallow, then keep it raining on them, they will slowly lower their heads, lap or suck in more, and tilt again. If they are done, they will move their faces out of the rain entirely.



>>Once they were acclimated and hydrated I found that they didn't always drink much if I offered water more than once or twice a day.



They may have been drinking each time, just not being obvious about it. This is kind of revolting, but melleri can drink without lapping. I have seen them sip/suck in water through their closed lips, nostrils, and eyes. Ever see one wash its eyes under a rainfall, and without ever opening its mouth, swallow a big long drink (complete with the tipped back head)? You can observe this by turning off the water and watching where the droplets stuck to the nostril go- they get sucked inwards. Sorry if I grossed anyone out. LOL The ducts and sinuses all lead into each other and ultimately, the mouth/gular.



Bill, on the mist system, if you have a pump that can sustain 30-minute sessions, program one or two a day and short ones with long dry-outs between. If you have a pump that only does 4-minute sessions, just group them in the middle of the day with 5-minute programmed cooldowns between each one. They aren't keen on mist, but they do learn to move into it, soak it up, and lap off the leaves after it stops.



For best management, I put the mist nozzles at basking sites, where they are most likely to be all day. It also ensures that the misted area dries out properly between sessions.



>>Yes, melleri are such neat chams! I learned more from them than just about any other species. When they are nice they are so gentle, but there are evil ones out there too. Some seem really stable, healthy, and content, and others are very fragile and stressy.



Yes, definitely a species that teaches us a lot. For one species, they have so much variety in attitudes and shapes. Gotta admit, though: the grumpy ones do eventually come around, but it's on their own terms. They won't be rushed.
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Kristina Francis



www.melleridiscovery.com

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